By Sam Parsons

The Oskaloosa City Council held a regular meeting last night and approved a new city council pledge. City staff said that the pledge was crafted using feedback from the city council’s brainstorming activity, and the plan is to put the pledge on TV screens in the city hall council chambers before each council meeting. The pledge features a list of behaviors that members of the council agree to follow, including addressing issues civilly, demonstrating professionalism and decorum, upholding ethical standards, accountability, and transparency, acting in the best interest of the entire community while setting aside personal bias or individual interests, supporting, encouraging, and valuing city employees, and more.

In other business, the council approved:

• A resolution that amended the agreement between Strand Associates and the city to provide professional services for the Wastewater Facility Plan
• The 1st reading of an ordinance amending a chapter of the city code relating to the sewage system
• The 2nd reading of an ordinance that eliminates licensing requirements for bicycles within city limits
• Payment of $39,977.38 to Terracon Consultants, INC for services completed for the Natatorium at the Early Childhood and Recreation Center

The next regular meeting for the Oskaloosa City Council is scheduled for February 16.